Graeter's Ice Cream Available at SoBe Scoops

The ice-cream industry is really pushing the National Ice Cream Month promo this year, but in South Florida, every month is ice-cream month. That's probably why local hotels are finally getting into the act with a new focus on inventive ice-cream offerings. (Riki "off-my-cleanse-diet" Altman featured La Marea's selection yesterday.)

A few months ago, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel debuted an ice-cream parlor, SoBe Scoops, as part of a $50 million renovation (who knew dairy costs so much?). Scoops, located off the shiny hotel lobby, has a retro 1950s ice-cream parlor/candy-store décor going on. Parts of the small, bright shop are wallpapered in a pink-and-white striped pattern that matches the pink-and-white leather booths. It's an updated, clean-lined version of the sort of place you'd want to take Betty or Veronica, though they might be taken aback somewhat by LCD flatscreen menus posted behind the counter.

Executive pastry chef Rene Contee

Lee Klein

SoBe Scoops offers a short but sweet menu of premium ice creams -- including the famous Graeter's, from Cincinnati, Ohio. Attendees of recent Burger Bash events at the SBWFF will be familiar with the creamy, cleanly flavored, not-too-sweet taste of hand-churned Graeter's, which has been around since 1870 and claims to still make its ice cream two gallons at a time. Chocolate raspberry is currently the featured flavor at SoBe Scoops, but a couple of other flavors are available in take-out pints. I tasted the chocolate raspberry, and all I'll say is that Graeter's is one of those rare breeds of products that induces foodie fanaticism yet isn't overhyped.

The homemade ice creams are likewise topnotch. I especially liked the key lime pie, which has pieces of the Loews key lime pie in it. The turtle cheesecake flavor was also delicious, yet while I admit the bubblegum flavor really does taste like bubblegum, I'm pretty sure I'd never want to eat a whole scoop of the stuff. Häagen-Dazs fills out the rest of the selections. One scoop of any of the ice creams is $3.99; two scoops are $5.25; three scoops are $6.50.

Mini pastries, candy apples, and other treats

Lee Klein

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The shop also sells shakes, candies, freshly whipped cotton candy, and various cookies, cupcakes, and pastries prepared under the supervision of Loews' executive pastry chef Renee Contee -- who is also the man in charge of those homemade ice creams.

SoBe Scoops is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and this weekend will scoop ice cream poolside via an old-timey ice-cream cart. I forgot to ask if they intend to serve a red-white-and-blueberry flavor, my fave from the old Good Humor trucks.